Electrode holder



Nov. 5, 1940. I c. R. FITCH ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Nov. 22, 1939 lill! v 3mm/m [W11 R. E'ch Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STAT-ES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a. holder for electrodes particularly as used in connection with electric arc welding.

It is aimed to provide an improved and simpli- 5 fied construction in effect having but a single movable part, and especially qne which is insulated to the maximum extent to increase safety by making the holder contact proof especially so that it will notbe dangerous if vthe holder is laid if down or accidentally touches a metal part in contact with the weld.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with acif" companying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view of the device in central longitudinal section;

:o Figure 2 is a fragmentary central longitudinal section but showing an electrode in place;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is an elevation of the inner end of 2.3 the holder.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, I provide a tube*J or pipe l0, preferably metallic and for instance of brass, which may :lo be crooked as shown, so that the holder may generally be of pistol grip form.

The tube I has a straight portion ||,and within the tube at the inner end of the latter, an abutment block I2 of brass is secured as by :5 means of a rivet I3. An expansive coil spring Il of suitable metal abuts one end of the block |2 and said spring in turn is abutted by the inner end of a plunger |5 of brass or other suitable material. Said plunger I5 forwardly of the tube I0 u) has` an enlarged head I6 secured to the plunger as by means of a screw I1 and which head is adapted for manual engagement for pushing inwardly against the tension of the spring i4 from the position of Figure 1 to the position of 45 Figure 2. Said head I6 is made of a suitable fireresistant insulating material.

Surrounding the forward `portion Il of the tube I0, is a sleeve I8 of fiber or other insulation, which may be secured thereto by means of a 50 bolt or the like as at I9. Extending through the portion Il and sleeve I8, are diametric openings or holes and 20', respectively, the former being preferably slightly .larger than thelatter. The aforesaid bolt I9 extends through a slot or 55 kerf 2|.. provided through the plunger I5, and

one end wall thereof as at 22, is cut at the same angle as the openings 20.

As a result of the construction described, when the head IB is pushed inwardly, the kerf 2| will aline with the openings 20 so that an-electrode 5 23 as commonly used in arc welding, may be placed through the openings 20 and kerf 2| and held in place therein through the expansive action of spring I4 which moves the wall'22 into contact with the electrode. The action of the l0 spring is suflicient to hold the electrode in place against danger of accidental disengagement and in conducting relation with the metallic tube I0.

It will be noted that the bolt I3 also extends through the slot or kerf 2|, thus holding the 15 plunger in position for effecting the alinement of the slot 2| with the openings 20.

Rearwardly of the portion Il, tube I0 has a curved or grip portion 24 and the latter is surrounded by a sleeve 25 of soft or pliable rubber or 20 other suitable insulation and a relatively large ring 26 of fiber or other suitable insulating material, surrounds the tube I0 between the sleeves I8 and 25, forming an effective guard against slippage of ones hands forwardly into contact 25 with the electrode. Ring 26 may be fastened to the tube by a set screw 21.

At the inner end, a head 28 is employed, having an opening 29, through which a conducting electric cable C is passed and fastened within the a0 conducting tube I0, by soldering, by wedging, or in any other approved manner. The head 28 consists of a nut or ferrule 30, for instance of copper, which may be screwed as at 3| to -the exterior of the pipe or tube l0. Fibre or any other suitable insulation as at 32, surrounds the periphery of the ferrule 30, being effectively fastened thereto as by means of a' screw 33, and the corners of the insulation 32 preferably being fiattened as at 34. Fiber or other insulating 40 washers are used at 25a and 25h so that ferrule 30 and the metallic wires of conductor C will notv be exposed.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. An electrode'holder having a tube of conducting material, a plunger operable in saidtube, said plunger and Itube having openings adapted to aline to receive and hold an electrode, spring means urging disalinement of the openings of the plunger and tube, means extending from the tube through the opening of the plunger to guide the plunger and prevent rotation thereof rela- Vheldinplaeebysaid means.

2. An electrode holder having a tube of conducting material, a plunger operable in said tube,

said plunger and tube having openings adapted to alineto receive and hold an electrode, spring means urging disalinement of the openings of the plunger and tube, means extending from the tube through the opening of the plunger to guide the plunger and prevent rotation thereof relatively to the tube, insulation about the tube held in place by said means, and a manually operable head on the forward end of the plunger beyond the forward end of the tube recessed at the inner end to extend over the adjacent end of the tube.

3. An electrode holder having a tube of conducting material, a plunger operable in said tube, said plunger and tube having openings adapted to aline to receive and hold an electrode, spring means urging disalinement of the openings of the plunger andtube, means extending from the tube through the opening of the plunger to guide the plunger and prevent rotation thereof relatively to the tube, a manually operable head on the forward end of the plunger beyond the forward, end of the tube, said tube having a crooked portion, insulation about said crooked portion. asleeve about the forward 'end of the tube, said means also passing through said sleeve to hold it in place and a guard ring between said sleeve and said insulation.

4. An electrode holder having a tube of conducting material, a plunger operable in said tube, said plunger and tube having openings adapted to aline to receive and hold an electrode, spring means urging disalinement of the openings of the plunger and tube, means extending from the tube through the opening of the phmger to guide the plunger and prevent rotation thereof relatively to the tube, a manually operable head on the forward end of the plunger beyond the forward end of the tube, said tube having a crooked portion, insulation about said crooked portion, a sleeve about the forward end of the tube, said means also passing through said sleeve to hold it in place, and a guard ring between said sleeve and said insulation, a manually operable head on the forward end of the plunger beyond the forward end of the tube recessed at the inner end to extend over the adjacent end of the tube, a ferrule secured to the inner end of the tube through which a cable is adapted to pass to the tube, and insulation disposed peripherally of the ferrule.

CECIL R. FIICH. 

